A former Detroit Red Wing is advocating for a broader conversation on the issue and benefits of medical marijuana.
Leamington-native Darren McCarty, who now calls Michigan home, says he has been sober for two years.
Speaking on AM800's 'The Morning Drive,' McCarty credited marijuana for helping him give up alcohol and also deal with his pain management.
He is encouraging more education when it comes to medical marijuana so others can decide if that's something that could help them.
"My stance on the marijuana issue is, it's not whether you do or don't, it's that you get the education to have the freedom, to have the choice that you want," says McCarty.
He says "It's pain management, it's sleep management. By the time I get up in the morning, I can move around and have a productive day. And at night, I don't fight the demons and try to drink myself into sleep."
The now 46-year-old McCarty played over 700-games in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups with Detroit.